5th Grade Girls Basketball Dominates Island Garden's Super League

Standing from L-R: Kaitlyn Gorman, Erin Connelly, Shannon Callahan, Tara DeAngelo, Grace Parks, Madelyn McGiuire, Assistant Coach John Parks. Kneeling from L-R: Coach Sue Walczyk, Sarah Galzerano, Kayla Walczyk, Caroline Beaty, Maggie Rogers.

GCAA - Walczyk 5th grade girls' basketball team had a phenomenal season ending the regular season with a 15 and 3 record. The girls went into the finals of the Island Garden Super League where they lost to the Pal Rebels AAU team.

The essence of their success lay in their ability to play as a team. The girls exhibited a great deal of commitment, hustle, and dedication, throughout the long basketball season. The team cruised through the first half of the season and was undefeated in their first ten games. In the second half of the season, against two highly selective AAU teams, they raised their level of play and were very competitive, but succumbed to these Goliath opponents. The team finished overall with the second highest league ranking.

Erin Connelly and Sarah Galzerano consistently ignited the team offensively and defensively with their tremendous hustle. Maddie McGuire and Shannon Callahan proved to be defensive dynamos and an awesome front line. Caroline Beaty, was Lady of the bank shot and stimulated the offense. Tara DeAngelo used her lightning fast speed to stop the opponent s' first break and to capitalize on our teams' fast break opportunities. Kaitlyn Gorman's sharp shooting from the 3 point range consistently presented an offensive threat. Grace Parks dominated the boards and consistently hit clutch free throws. Maggie Rogers and Kayla Walczyk piloted the offense at the point guard position, keeping the tempo and breaking the most aggressive presses.

The highlight of the girls' season was in the semifinal game of the playoffs against the Long Island Lightning, a team that we had succumbed to twice before, losing by two points in both meetings. The girls cam e back from a 12 point deficit beating the Lightning 26-22. Critical 3 point shots by Kaitlyn Gorman, and Caroline Beaty and successful free throws by Erin Connelly in the final moments of the game secured the victory. The greatest factor for the win was their relentless cohesive efforts. They proved they had developed into a true team, each player being vital to its success.

The team lost to the PAL AAU team in the final game but with a tremendous fight, Hustle, hustle, hustle; their 100% effort from start to finish gave them a sense of victory even in defeat. All smiles, they gave their best, and they left the season with invaluable qualities that team sports should teach. They learned satisfaction in the process, regardless of the endpoint. The girls practiced hard together, played hard together, and won tough together. They are champions.